Sky TV and broadband provider review

Sky is Britain's biggest pay-TV provider. It has the widest choice of TV channels and HD channels, from Sky Sports – including Premier League matches – to the latest blockbusters from Sky Movies, plus catch-up and on-demand TV content. But does biggest mean best? Our latest customer rating reveals how customers rated their Sky TV and broadband service.

Each year, we survey thousands of UK TV and broadband customers to check how they rate each big provider's speed, reliability, TV content, customer service and value for money.

Discover which providers impressed their customers most in our latest survey of the best and worst TV and broadband providers.

Is Sky TV and broadband any good?

• 'I'm satisfied with the package I am on - it includes everything that I want and need at a decent price, and the quality of both the broadband and TV is excellent.'
• 'I've been with Sky for more than 10 years, so I recommended it to a friend. She's new to Sky and is getting a deal similar to mine, but is paying less than half of what I'm paying. I don't think that's fair.'

Sky TV and broadband review

Customer score: 66% (second out of five). Which? members can also read our full review, including how its customers rated it for key factors such as customer service and technical support.

If you're already a member, log in now, or join Which? to read:

• Pros
• Cons
• Which? verdict

Sky TV, broadband and phone satisfaction survey results

If you'd prefer a cheaper option without a TV service, then you can find your ideal package by comparing all the latest broadband deals.

What TV and broadband deals does Sky offer?

Sky is likely to be the first provider you think of when it comes to pay TV, and there’s no denying that it's a dominant player, with more than 300 channels to choose from and a huge customer base.

Sky offers several customisable TV packages that you can combine with its broadband and phone services. It's been the go-to TV provider for more than two decades, and the wide variety of channels on offer means there's something for everyone – from documentaries and reality shows to live coverage of the latest sporting events.

Other perks include a selection of catch-up TV and on-demand content, plus access to a host of TV series that are shown exclusively on Sky Atlantic. There's also a Sky Go app that enables streaming directly to a smartphone or tablet and, for Sky Q customers, the Sky Q app lets you watch live or on-demand TV on your preferred device, allowing you to pause a show on your box and continue watching from your device.

If you opt for a broadband service from Sky alongside TV, you must take out a superfast broadband package – average speeds start at 36Mbps and go up to 61Mbps. Customers in certain areas can also opt for Sky's ultrafast fibre deals, which have average speeds of 145Mbps, 500Mbps and 900Mbps. Around one in 10 premises can also access gigabit-speed broadband via Sky, with average speeds as high as 5Gbps (5000Mbps).

Your TV service will work either via satellite or your broadband connection. Traditionally, channels have been broadcast via satellite, which required having a dish installed. However, it's now possible to watch Sky via its Stream service, which uses wi-fi. Sky Stream requires a broadband speed of at least 10Mbps to work effectively, so if your connection is slower, you'll need a satellite dish instead.

If you're not interested in pay TV and just want a phone and broadband bundle, read our Sky broadband review.

How much is Sky TV and broadband?

Sky offers a wide range of packages, with various combinations of TV and premium channels alongside its broadband service.

You can view the entire range of Sky broadband packages or enter your postcode below to check for the best deals across all providers in your area. 

Does Sky put up TV and broadband prices every year?

No. Sky has avoided putting clauses covering mid-contract price rises in its broadband and TV contracts. However, it regularly changes its prices (usually in February each year). If you're affected, you should receive a notification about the price rise. 

Understand your options using our guide to Sky broadband and TV price rises.

What equipment comes with Sky TV and broadband?

Sky has recently rolled out its Sky Stream box – it works using your broadband connection via wi-fi, so you won't need to have a satellite dish installed. As well as giving you access to Sky TV, you can also install other apps such as BBC iPlayer and Netflix – you'll still need to pay for Netflix, although you can make it part of your Sky bill if you prefer. Sky Stream doesn't record; it lets you access catch-up TV services instead.

If you have a slower broadband connection (below 25Mbps) or opt for Sky's Q Lite package, you'll be offered the Sky Q box. Our experts were impressed with the device when they looked at it in our test lab. Sky Q boxes can record as much as 1,000 hours of standard-definition television, depending on the capacity of the device you choose.

It's also possible to get a smart TV directly from Sky. Sky Glass comes with features similar to a typical smart TV, and it also has Sky TV built in, so you won't need a Sky Stream or Sky Q box.

If you'd prefer a broadband-only deal, then read in-depth reviews of all the major internet service providers in our guide to the best broadband providers.

What is Sky Glass?

In 2022, Sky launched its own 4K TV, Sky Glass and everything you need to watch Sky content is built in. 

Sky channels and catch-up services are streamed over wi-fi, so there's no need for an aerial or satellite. You can buy the TV outright or spread the cost and pay for it monthly with your Sky subscription.

You can pay for it all in one go, but you do need an active Sky subscription to make the most of TV. We wouldn't consider buying it unless you're planning to be a Sky customer for the foreseeable future. That's because it loses important functions, such as voice search, recording and the innovative catch-up menu if you stop being a Sky customer. Even if you've fully paid for the TV with monthly payments or bought it outright, you still need an active subscription to watch Sky content and use all the TV's features.

You can still watch TV through an aerial and use catch-up services, but not at the same time. The aerial input doesn't work if you're connected to the internet.

Read our guide to Sky Glass to learn more about the technology and see what we thought of the TVs.

Need to get in touch with Sky?

Bookmark our Sky Broadband customer contact page, which contains helpful links to service status updates, customer service phone numbers and social media accounts.